DALEY HAS HOPE FOR LIBRARY CHIEF

Robert DavisCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Mayor Richard Daley said Tuesday that Carla Hayden, the Chicago Public Library's deputy commissioner, has told him that she still hasn't officially accepted the post of executive director of the Baltimore library system, but would give her decision in the next few days.

But, if she keeps to the schedule she has for the next few days, it's going to have to be a short call.

On Wednesday, Hayden is set to be greeted at an official Baltimore Library Board breakfast at 7:30 a.m., have a meeting with system employees at 10:30 a.m., attend a noon luncheon with board members and be at a photo opportunity with Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke at 3:15 p.m. and City Council President Mary Pat Clarke at 4 p.m.

On Thursday, she will meet with Baltimore mayoral aides, city civic leaders, and, in the afternoon, will be introduced as a guest of honor at the annual Maryland Library Association convention.

"We have a very busy schedule for her, and she will be introduced to everyone as our new executive director," said Averil Kadis, a spokesman for the Baltimore library system. "Everyone here is anxious to meet her."

In spite of all of that busy schedule planned for Hayden in Baltimore, Daley Tuesday continued to stress that he still hopes that the 40-year-old deputy commissioner will decide to stay in Chicago as its top commissioner.

"I think she's one of the best in the country," Daley said during an impromptu news conference Tuesday, in which he seemed upset that the personnel snafu had become such a public matter.

Daley had asked the Chicago Library Board to hold a quick meeting last Wednesday, the day after Baltimore offered Hayden the top job there, but Chicago commissioners, reportedly reluctant to vote on the Hayden appointment, could not garner a quorum.

Daley's press office, mistakenly assuming that the Chicago Library Board appointment was a done deal, sent out a press release Thursday saying Hayden had been named the new commissioner, just about the same time Baltimore was proclaiming that Hayden was taking a similar job there.

Daley summoned Hayden to a closed door meeting on Monday night, where he said he was assured by her that she still hadn't made a final decision on the Baltimore job offer.

But, she then boarded a train and headed east to fulfill her schedule of public appearances in Baltimore.

"Everyone out here who has met her just loves her and is anxious for her to start her new job," said Kadis.

But Jim Williams, the mayor's press secretary, said, "As far as the mayor is concerned, Miss Hayden is still simply considering the offer from Baltimore. In Chicago, the door is still open."

But, if Hayden's schedule for the rest of the week holds, the door leads to Baltimore.